precisely so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “precisely so” is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate agreement with a point of view or statement that has been expressed. For example: “I think that taxes should be raised to help fund educational programs.” “Precisely so, increased taxes can lead to improved outcomes in education.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Precisely so: there is no ultimate predictive precision!

Huffington Post

Precisely so.

The Guardian - Music

Or did he become a therapist precisely so that his patients would act out for him?

The New Yorker

The resource allocation process is fragmented precisely so that it can be responsive to local wants.

Harvard Business Review

Precisely so, suggested Sherborne, though the day's heavy lifting had been done by Robert Jay QC.

The Guardian

"If they grab hold of it, we can really see some quick wins". Precisely so.

The Guardian

The U.S. had to transfer sovereignty precisely so it could stay.

The New York Times

They had all travelled to Belgium and Italy precisely so that important matters could be shared.

The New Yorker

Perhaps precisely so I would not have to talk about it.

The New Yorker

Indeed, some are assisted precisely so as to influence the political debate in Europe at critical moments.

The Economist

Mr Zhang counters that he took the exam precisely so that he would not end up like the noodle-vendor.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "precisely so" to add a touch of formality and emphasis when agreeing with a statement. It works well in both writing and speech to show strong concurrence.

Common error

Avoid using "precisely so" too frequently in your writing. Its formal tone can become repetitive and stilted if overused. Vary your agreement phrases for a more natural and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "precisely so" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase used to express strong agreement or affirmation. It emphasizes the correctness or accuracy of a preceding statement. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

22%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Precisely so" is a phrase used to express strong agreement or affirmation. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. While uncommon, it adds emphasis and a touch of formality. It's most frequently found in news media but also appears in academic and scientific contexts. While a useful phrase, remember to avoid overuse for a more natural writing style. For less formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "exactly" or "that's right".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exactly

Single-word affirmation, shorter and more direct.

indeed

Formal affirmation, slightly more emphatic.

that's right

Informal agreement, common in spoken language.

you're right

Acknowledges the correctness of someone's statement.

that's correct

More formal version of "that's right".

absolutely

Emphatic agreement, conveys strong conviction.

quite so

British English equivalent, conveys polite agreement.

just so

Similar to "precisely so", but slightly less formal.

you hit the nail on the head

Idiomatic expression indicating perfect accuracy.

I couldn't agree more

Expresses complete agreement with a prior statement.

FAQs

How can I use "precisely so" in a sentence?

You can use "precisely so" to express strong agreement with a statement. For example: "The data confirms our initial hypothesis." "Precisely so, the evidence is undeniable."

What's a more formal synonym for "precisely so"?

While "precisely so" is already quite formal, you could use "indeed" or "absolutely" in certain contexts for similar emphasis.

Is "precisely so" suitable for informal conversations?

While grammatically correct, "precisely so" leans towards formal usage. In informal conversations, phrases like "that's right" or "exactly" might be more appropriate.

What phrases can I use to replace "precisely so"?

Alternatives to "precisely so" include "just so", "you're right", or "that's correct", depending on the context and level of formality you wish to convey.